Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Different Tools for Different Jobs October 20, 2024 I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. ~ John 15:1 NLT ~ I was struggling with deboning a chicken breast. Why is this job so hard? I wondered, the meat slithering and slipping between my fingers as I hacked away with a big butcher knife. The meat was looking a bit mutilated. “Use a boning k ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Living in the Moment October 16, 2024 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life... ~ Matthew 6:25 NIV ~ I’m not sure about you, but I dread going to the dentist. In the past two weeks, I have been in the chair twice, once for a root canal and the other for a crown on the same tooth. The crown was today, and as I type on my computer keyboard, my sore mouth is reminding me that I s ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Adopted October 14, 2024 Long before he laid created earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. ~ Ephesians 1:4 MSG ~ This morning I gazed upon an angel! No, I’m not talking about my husband. But about our sweet granddaughter, Riley! She is an angel because she is still ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Fallen October 13, 2024 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. ~ Romans 10:13 ESV ~ “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 ESV) At church recently I spoke about the peace of God which passes all understanding coming as a gift from God, which we need to be in the core of our being (See ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR My New Walking Partner October 11, 2024 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ~ Mark 1:35 NIV ~ Two weeks ago, a devotional was published under the title of, "Walking With my Son", when I told the story of how no one walks with me as well as my son. The problem is, my so ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Heart October 9, 2024 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. ~ 1 John 3:16 NIV ~ “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Hidden Treasures October 7, 2024 I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. ~ Isaiah 45:3 NIV ~ As I sat in the doctor's office the other day I came across one of those pictures that you have to stare at to find a hidden message. Not so discreetly, I stared into the picture, hop ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Power of a Single Kind Word October 6, 2024 A new command I give you: Love one another. ~ John 13:34 NIV ~ I was in my early twenties. I had graduated from college with a degree in Education but still couldn’t find a full time teaching job. I waited each morning then for the phone to ring so I could work as a substitute that day. It wasn’t easy. One day I would be teaching high school ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Pesty October 4, 2024 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! ~ Eccl. 4:10 NIV ~ Classic Illustrator "While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and 'sinners' came and ate with him and his disciples." (Matthew 9:10 NIV) " ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Beauty of Darkness October 2, 2024 You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. ~ Psalms 18:28 NIV ~ "You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." (Psalm 18:28 NIV) I often walk my dogs in the dark and as I have done so, I have learned to appreciate the beauty of darkness. I ...Continue Reading